How to Bottle Feed an Orphan Deer

A deer does not make a good pet. However, you may be forced to nurture a baby deer, called a fawn, if she has been orphaned. Like all nursing animals, a fawn needs milk for nutrition and hydration, so you must bottle feed her in order to keep her alive and healthy.

Things You'll Need

  • Animal or baby bottles
  • Measuring cups
  • Goat or ewe milk
  • Purified water
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Instructions

    • 1

      Clean up to prevent the spread of disease. Wash your hands thoroughly before and after feeding the orphaned deer. Sterilize all the equipment such as bottles, nipples and all feeding equipment.

    • 2

      Use veterinarian approved animal bottles with a lamb's nipple, which is a soft rubber nipple that the baby deer prefer. A baby bottle also works well if you cross-cut the rubber nipple to make the hole more accessible.

    • 3

      Prepare a formula of either goat's or ewe's milk, which is best for the deer and has a proper balance of protein, fat and lactose. Mix with equal parts of sterile, purified water.

    • 4

      Place your finger in the one corner of the deer's mouth and the nipple in the other corner to encourage it to nurse. If she balks, place a dab of honey on the nipple.

    • 5

      Wash the orphaned deer's face after each feeding. Provide a supplement of electrolytes, fed by itself. Use the electrolytes if, but only if, diarrhea is present.